Análisis cuantitativo de los diarios de pioneros durante las migraciones al Oeste americano (1840-1860). Una propuesta metodológica

RESUMENEntre las muchas fuentes documentales que el historiador tiene a su disposición para abordar sus estudios, el diario personal se presenta, quizás, como una de las más interesantes. Este tipo de materiales no solo permiten conocer algo mejor los pensamientos y emociones de sus propios autores, sino también determinadas facetas del momento histórico en el que se concibieron, de ahí que su contenido resulte fundamental a la hora de comprender un fenómeno migratorio tan peculiar como el que tuvo lugar en el Oeste americano durante la segunda mitad del siglo xix.Partiendo de las propuestas de Ralph K. White y de John Mack Faragher, este artículo presenta una readaptación del Value analysis, proponiendo una selección de 65 valores y 7 grupos temáticos, que se han utilizado para determinar cuáles eran los principales intereses y preocupaciones de los pioneros estadounidenses, a partir del estudio de catorce diarios de la época. Palabras clave: historia cuantitativa, Oeste americano, migraciones, diarios de viaje, Overland TrailTopónimo: Estados UnidosPeríodo: siglo xix ABSTRACT Among the many documentary sources historians have at their disposal when dealing with studies, the personal diary is perhaps one of the most interesting ones. This type of material not only allows us to know a little better the thoughts and emotions of their own authors but also certain aspects of the historical moment in which they were conceived, therefore its content is fundamental when it comes to understand a migration phenomenon as unique as the one that took place in the American West during the second half of the nineteenth century.Based on the proposals of Ralph K. White and John Mack Faragher, this article presents a readaptation of ‘Value analysis’ proposing a selection of 65 values and 7 thematic groups which have been used to determine the main interests and concerns of the American pioneers revising for this purpose fourteen diaries of that time. Keywords: quantitative history, American West, migrations, overland diaries, Overland TrailPlace names: United StatesPeriod: 19th century REFERENCIASBillington, R. A. y Ridge, M. 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